# RCW 48.49.003: RCW 48.49.003: Findings—Intent—2019 c 427

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S003

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 48.49.003
- **Heading:** RCW 48.49.003: Findings—Intent—2019 c 427
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 48 / Chapter 49 / Section 003

## Text

(1) The legislature finds that: (a) Consumers receive surprise bills or balance bills for services provided at nonparticipating facilities, by nonparticipating health care providers at in-network facilities, and by ground ambulance services organizations; (b) Consumers must not be placed in the middle of contractual disputes between entities referenced in this section and health insurance carriers; and (c) Facilities, providers, and health insurance carriers all share responsibility to ensure consumers have transparent information on network providers and benefit coverage, and the insurance commissioner is responsible for ensuring that provider networks include sufficient numbers and types of contracted providers to reasonably ensure consumers have in-network access for covered benefits. (2) It is the intent of the legislature to: (a) Ban balance billing of consumers enrolled in fully insured, regulated health plans and plans offered to public and school employees under chapter 41.05 RCW for the services described in RCW 48.49.020 and 48.49.200 and to provide self-funded group health plans with an option to elect to be subject to the provisions of this chapter; (b) Remove consumers from balance billing disputes and require that nonparticipating providers and carriers negotiate nonparticipating provider payments in good faith under the terms of this chapter; (c) Align Washington state law with the federal balance billing prohibitions and transparency protections in sections 2799A-1 et seq. of the public health service act (P.L. 116-260) and implementing federal regulations in effect on March 31, 2022, while maintaining provisions of this chapter that provide greater protection for consumers; and (d) Provide an environment that encourages self-funded groups to negotiate payments in good faith with nonparticipating providers and facilities in return for balance billing protections.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 48.49.003 RCW 48.49.003: Findings—Intent—2019 c 427.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S003.md)
- [RCW 48.49.005 RCW 48.49.005: Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S005.md)
- [RCW 48.49.010 RCW 48.49.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S010.md)
- [RCW 48.49.020 RCW 48.49.020: Balance billing—When prohibited—Carrier's duty to hold an enrollee harmless from balance billing under certain circumstances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S020.md)
- [RCW 48.49.030 RCW 48.49.030: Enrollee's obligation to pay for services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S030.md)
- [RCW 48.49.040 RCW 48.49.040: Dispute resolution process—Determination of commercially reasonable payment amount.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S040.md)
- [RCW 48.49.060 RCW 48.49.060: Notice of consumer rights—Development of standard template language by commissioner.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S060.md)
- [RCW 48.49.070 RCW 48.49.070: Requirement to provide certain information on website or upon consumer request—Requirement to provide carriers with nonemployed provider lists.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S070.md)
- [RCW 48.49.080 RCW 48.49.080: Health care provider—Requirement to provide certain information on website or upon consumer request—Requirement to submit network status information to carriers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S080.md)
- [RCW 48.49.090 RCW 48.49.090: Carrier—Requirement to update website and provider directory—Requirement to provide enrollee with certain information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S090.md)
- [RCW 48.49.100 RCW 48.49.100: Pattern of unresolved violations—Enforcement action by department of health or appropriate disciplining authority.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S100.md)
- [RCW 48.49.110 RCW 48.49.110: Rule-making authority.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S110.md)
- [RCW 48.49.120 RCW 48.49.120: No application of chapter to health plans under chapter 74.09 RCW.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S120.md)
- [RCW 48.49.130 RCW 48.49.130: Application of chapter to self-funded group health plans that elect to participate in balance billing protection provisions—Annual notice to commissioner.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S130.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T48_C49_S003. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.